Disappearing footlight



Feb. 19, 1935. 1 H, KLlEGL DISAPPEARING FOTLIGHT Filed July 16, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fes. 19, 1935. J, Hl KLIEGL 1,991,615

DI SAPPEARING FOOTLIGHT Filed July 16, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 lvwentoz Feb. 19, 1935.' J. H. KLIEGL 1,991,615

DISAPPEARING FOOTLIGHT Filed July 16, 195o 4 sheets-sheet 4 wvemtoz www Patented Feb. 19, 1935 r1,

UNITED STAT-ss (PATENT "oF-FICE Y 7, '51,991,615 Y I i.

ISISAPPEARING FooTIQIGn'r .John KlegLNew L York, N. Y.,.assgnor to Kliegl Bros. Universal Electric Stage Lighting v gg-lklno., New York; Y.; a corporation of New I, Applicaties Juy'ie, 1936, serial No'. 468,226

15 claims. (crue-3) This invention relates'to improvements in stage the View beingtaken substantially Online 3--3of footlights. The chief object ofithe invention is Fig-t2; 1 to provide improved means vfor controlling foot'- v Fig. `4 shows a top plan View of the groupof lights of Ythe.disappearing or concealedrtype.- footlight sections, all ofthesections being adapted .5 one object ef the'present .invention resides in for concurrentoperation by asinsleoperatins "5 theV provision'forecontrolling current supply to motor; 1 i f 1 the lamps Yifi-Suele a; way that current supply y .Fig.r5 is a detailedlviewof a modication in Will be cut and the lights turned 01T when the Whicha'manually'operable means is provided forV footlights are in `concealed position and so that actuating the variousfootlight sections;` 10' supply of current isautomatically resumed when y Fig. .6. is a detail viewtaken substantially on 10v the iootlights aredisplaced to the"in use or 1`I1e6-6 0f Fg- 5; Y d Y open position.. 1 Fig; "I is a detail view of anotherzmodilcation in .A futher-.Object fl the present `invention rewhich independent motors are provided for each sides innthe provisionrof' ootlightswhich maybe ootlight.SeClSiOIl?Y l` displaced te cmucealed position yor to' in use Figs. 8 and 9 are detail views ofcertain switch- 15 position by suitable :power Ydevices which are lg` applalCeS used IYCOIileCtOn Wththe OOtadapted for control remotewfrcmthe.foo-tlights. lights; and i f A further object of the present inventionre-v `Figrll) is a. circuit diagram of thevarious considesinrthe provisionuof. 'novel control'land opertIOlGI'ClltS. i i f I ating means-for disappearing footlightsfandfor fThe disappearing footlight sections themselves 20A the lamps ofsuchvootlight's. f 5 f arefsubstantially of the constructiondisclosed in .A further object of the present'inventionresides Klegl United ,States PatentfN0 1,141,122 and in the provisiono novel control meansiforrdisaCC0IdI1g1y,'1aqllTQ 110 detailed daSCTDOiL. It appearing foggightszwhich are adgptedwhen the is suflicientfto state that each section comprises footiighes are displaced tothe.. ffm useo'posii-,on a carrier generally Vdesignated 10 pivotaliy mount-4 25.

to suspend further displacement and movement ed at 19 llDOIl 2 frame V17 suitably SupportedbelOW Y of the footiighte furrhermore'to .provide the level ofthe stase- The lomp Sockets 1 3 as means so that when the lf'ootiigiots. are irruse` heretofore, `are mounted in a lamp box 14. and position other control circuits are established to the llSllal lamp Casi-F15 S D1`0Vd In COHIapermit thesubsequent shifting ofrthefootlights distinction to Vhaving the `ends lof the Covering Y30` toiconcealed position; f. plates or boards of the carrier spaced apart -at A further'ebjeet or the present invention resides the vSection endssuoh parte abut each other at in the .provision of novel control means forudisthe @IldS aSCleaIly ShOWTl in Figs- 3 2111014 appearing icotlights which are adapted'whenthe f iootlights reach concealedY position to shut oi Qpemtmgme'hmsm. current supply to the motor 0r -motors so that Suitably fixed to each carrier 10 thereis a gear no further displacement of the carriers takes Sector 30. Meshng WithfeaCh gear SeCtOI' 30 iS. a place and furthermore to` providermeansso that Spur gear 31 WhiCh-il tlill SXed t0 a Shaft SBC- when the footlights reach the concealed position, tOYl 32 J'Olllnalledlltably in frame 17- One Shaft 49 other control circuits are established'to permit section 32 is provided for @ach .fOOtlghtSeCtOn i0` the subsequent shifting ofA the footlights to open andto provide ior `the relative curvature of an position. L f assemblage of footlight sections to conform with Further. and other objects of the presentinthe curved front of the, stage the varioussections vention will be hereinafterset Iforth in the ac-v 32 are preferably coupled together by universal companying specication andclaims and shown joints 33 (see Figs. 4 and 5,). According to the 45- in the drawingswhioh by Way-of illustration show embodiment of the invention shown in.Fig.-4, one what I now consider to be preferred embodiments of the sections 32 hasits spur gear 31- disposed to of the invention. v Y mesh with and be driven by'a motor driven gear vIn the drawings: v- 35Ydriven by a suitable motor 36. It may be ex- Figure 1 is a `fragmentary sectional View of 'plained that the embodiment shown in Fig. 4 5,0 one of the improvedv footlights-V showing a foot-,- discloses a construction in Which all sections are lightv displaced inconcealed position;` adapted for concurrent displacement under drive Fig. 2 is a view similar toFig. 1 butwithtlrle froma single motor 36. Conditions may arise,V foo-'alight in open or in.usepositiom 1 however, Where separate motor drives maybe de- Y Fig..3 is a detail'viewzshown partlyinrsection", sirable` for the'different footlight sections. In 55?v such cases (see Fig. 7) the universal joint connections 33 are dispensed with and each footlight section is provided with an individual spur gear 31 cor-acting with motor driving gears 35. Furthermore, there is provided an individual motor 36 for each footlight section. This construction with independent motors for the difierent .sections provides for selective displacement of the various sections independently of the other sections as will well be understood. It is only necessary to supply the current to the motors individually and in this way selective operation of the sections may with a worm wheel 38 (see Fig. 6) coactingwitha worm gear 39 driven by Va vertical shaft 40 having its upper end suitably shaped to receive the socket portion 41 of a brace and bit 42 or' other manually operable device.` This brace and bit 42 can be introduced through .an openingin .the stage ioor as shownin Figs. 5 .and

In disappearing footlights of this class, itis not only objectionable, but therek is some rireV hazard in permitting the lamps vto continue burning when the footlights are in concealed vorclosed position (see Fig. 1). Accordingly, switching devices are provided which are arranged to close circuits to the lamps when the footlight sections are in open position and which switching devices interrupt current supply to the lamps when the footlights are in closed position.

Provision is made for utilizing the motion of the carriers 10 for bringing about operation of theV switching devices. lAs will be hereinafter Vexplained, there are certain switching devices which are provided for lamp control and other switching devices which are provided for Vmotor control;

Both of the switching devices in questioni` are located in switch boxes 43, xed to the carriers below the lamp boxes. The switching devices themselves may be of any conventional type, but as here shown are of the snap-throw-over toggle type. Fig. 8 shows the type of switch which is used for controlling the lamp circuits and Fig. 9 shows the type of switch which is used for .controlling the motor circuits.V Each lamp circuit switch is provided with an operatingjlever generally designated 44 in Fig. 8Y and designated 44W, 44B. and 44G in Figs.Y 4, 5 and 7, which levers individually shift the circuit closing members 45.

- It may be here explained that the Various footlight sections contain varied colored lamps marked Red, White and Green, The levers generally marked 44 and individually marked 44R, 44W and 44S' project downwardly from the switch boxes 43 and are in such position that upon the` carrier being swung towards open position (Fig. 2) such operating levers will'be engaged by a stud 46 vcarried by the frame 17 and displaced in clockwise direction to close the switch contacts forthe lamps rI'his closure of the contacts' occurs just before the carriers reach the fully open position. To cut 01T current supply to the lamps, another stud 48 is provided (see Fig. V1)

which'stud isadapted to rock the levers in reverse or counterclockwise direction to open up the contacts and cut off current supply to the lamps when the carriers are in closed position as shown in Fig. 1. The switch contacts for the lamp circuits are Vgenerally designated 47 in Fig. 8 andare individually designated 47R, 47W and 47G in the circuit diagram of Fig. 10. It will be understood that these lamp switch contacts are in open position when the carrier is in the position of Fig. 1 Y

and in closed position when the carrier is in the position of Fig. 2.

Lamp control circuits Y Referring to the circuit diagram; 5,0 designates the supply mains for the current." 51 designates a main line switch having suitable leads extending to the switch points of two groups of individual switchesY 52 and 53.V 'I'he switches 52 can be individually opened or closed to turn on or o either the red lamps, the white lamps or the green lamps and switches 53 are provided for shutting oi and turning on current supply to theindividual footlight sections. From the switches 53, individual supply lines lead to the switch contacts and individual return lines lead back from the lamps to switches 52. f v v With/this arrangement'of circuits it is accordingly possible to optionally turn Yon or off `the lights in various sections and to optionally turn off or on lights of different color in ther various footlight'l sections. Also it v-is possible to turn on all of the lamps'in all these sections and selectionY can be made as to color which is turned on in the various sections.

Y `Motor control circuits Where motor drive is' provided, provision should be made to change the setting of the motor circuits in accordance with the position of the footlight sections. The various controlling V opening circuit should be automatically interrupted to terminate the motor operation and stop further displacement .of thecarriers.- At the same time-other controlling circuits should be closed so that upon a. subsequent-further manipulation ofthe switches at the distant point the carriers will be caused to movefunder the influence of the motor or motors towards closed position. Then again when the carriers reach theirclosed position this motoa` circuit or circuits should again be interrupted and the previously mentioned motor opening circuits set up.

Preferably snap-over toggle switches, are used for controlling the motor circuits and insofar as their operation is concerned, suchswitches are operated in the same way as the lamp switches, i. e. by thecooperation of studs 48 and 46 with the motor switch operating levers 44M. In lieu of having single pairs of contacts such as 47 which are provided for the lamp circuits, each motor switch lever 44M is adapted to displace a. circuit closing member 45M alternativelyy into contact with either of a pair of contacts generally designated 57 and 58 in Fig. 9 and designated 57a, 57D, 57o, 57d and 58a, 5817.580 and 58d in Y,

the circuit diagram, Fig. 10. The upper of the the other end ofthe armature circuit is connected'ftofld and the upper contact 58d@` From* the lower contacts 'l'fto-d inclusive -an'd'58`z`zA to-d inclusive, circuits extendtothe switch points' of a-double '-throwl reversing -switchf' generally `designated59fon1the circuit diagram; As shown, this switchisi of the `usual `double throw type with an upper set of'. switch points andV a lower' set.

. The/switchblades-'of rthe 'switch59 are suitably connected by conductorsto-the main switch51 as shown.- It will be understood that the reversing switch is` placed remotef from the foot# lights themselves; forexample, at the-side of the fstagef In 'thefcircuitf diagram -(Figl. 10) the switchingdevices--for'both of the lamps andthe motor control'cir'cuits are shown in'the'fo'otlig'hts closed position. Accordingly, all of the lamp switch contacts 47B; 47W; 47G are open. If vitV isnowdesired to open'the footlights', the switch 59 will be thrown to cooperate with the lower set of -pfootlights labt-lledon fthe `diagram to open. Current willnowiiowinto'ltheeld ofthe motor through'contacts 581) and backtofnegativefside. ofline through contactsla.' Similarly,current l up motor control circuits to the v upper' set of switch points.l Accordingly, when the-operator Vdesiresto again close the footlights it is only nec-` essary to throw the switch-59 fromthe` lower-4 set of switch pointsto the upper setV of switch points markedv to close on the circuit diagranrand current-will then flow" to the motor through va rious ottiene-contacts 57ato 57d. The arrangementK offthe ycircuits and the 'relationfof the switching devices is-su.ch that the relative-relation o-f-the mo-tor and arma-ture circuitsV will be alteredfso that themot'or will operate vin vreverse directiony and thus displaceY the "foot'lights and lampn carriers l'towards closedposition.y Again when the footlights'and carriers reach closed -position, the motor controlcircuitswillagain be interrupted by the automatic opening ofcontacts 57a' to d. The motor control vc ircuitsgire now-in proper relationto `again bring'aboutfan-Qope'rr movement of thei'ootlight's when the Vdouble throw switch-59` isthrownto lower position-g" While the circuit-diagram is shown with fonly one set of inotorcontrol circuitsV and'one 'dou-` ble throw switch' forV a singlejmotor, it` is obvious that the same arrangement" ofY circuits and switches will be lusedv lwhen multiple' motors are provided as show in Fig. 'l'. Inzthisfcase'itwill'be necessaryfto provide' individual switches for each' motor and individual double throw switches for each motor when independent motor operation of sections is desired. Forsimplicity in the diagram as stated above, only one set of motor controlling circuits are shown.

What I claim' i 1. A disappearing footlight including a'larnp carrier, lamps thereon having positive-acting switching devices associated therewith for opening and closing llamp circuits inaccordance with the position of the footlights, lamp control circuits extending to said switching devices, and switches for said control'circuits for selecting remain unlighted.

2;; The finventitinf'set7 forth inclaim l in=whiclfi l the lamp controlcircuitsandswitches provide -for selectively-controlling thelampsr-botnbyisets as related-toeach carrierand"byth'e color ofthe lampsuponthe carriers. f

35A disappearing-footlight includinga carrier adaptedto move to closed or open positionand in" cludingin ycombination switching devices for'the footlightlamps, said devices having Ymembers iii-fl interrupting current vsupplyto thelamps; `posi-V tive-actingv switching v devicesfor Y interrupting motor 4circuits.A and altering; the circuit relations of other` motor circuits for. reversed drive of; the' motor,A and commonmeans for` concurrently oper# ating both 'the kr'st'mentioned switching devices and the second mentioned switchingdevices in accordance with displacement of thev carrier1 into either the open-orclosedp'osition.

5; `Afrnotor driven disappearing footlight fora stage-floor,- including-a carrier fora -row of lamps displaceable -to` 'and from a predetermined posi# tion-,j positive-acting switching devices 'for-inter-V rupting niot-orcircuits to arrestthemotoriand forY concurrently alteringV thefccircuit' relations of other motor Vcircuits tocondition the motorrfor drive-in a reverse` direction,l andmeans for'automatically-operating `said switching devicesv in accordancewith thel displacement ofthecarrier into said `predetermined-position. l

6. A motor p driven disappearing footlight l including alamp -carrierdisplaceable `to and from a predetermined position,V and means )for reversing the motors` comprisingA motor controlling circuits, positive-acting switching devices connectedl whichlamps are to-belighted and-whichareuto insaidcircuits -o'r control thereof-andv shift'able,

independently of -the carrier; to arrest operation of the motor vinY one direction and-condition the motor `f or drive in a reverse direction,- 'said devices being shiftable into and out ofsaidrnotor arrestv ing and reversing-relation only onfapplicationof positive shiftingaction thereto, and means -for positively Vshifting said devices into said relation when the 4carrier `Inovesinto said lprede'terrnined' position-.

'UA motor Vdriven vdisappearing footlight forV a stage l floor 'including a carrier for a row of- "lampsadapted to `befdisplacedinto` open or closedposi@ Y tion, Y and means for reversing the motor oninove ment of the carrier into either ofsaidpositions, comprising motor controlling circuits, positiveacting switching .devices mounted on the carrier dill and connected in said circuitsfor control thereof, said devices being shiftable Vinto alternative v relations each for arresting drive of the motor in one of corresponding alternative opposite directions and conditioning the motor for drive in the other direction only, and means for automatically shifting said devices into proper `reversing relation inv accordance with the position of the carrier.

. 8. A motor driven disappearing footlight inpletion of drive of the latter in footlight-opening or footlight-closing direction, andcommon means for concurrently and positively shiting. both the rstand second-mentioned switching devicesin accordance'with displacement of the carrier into the open or closed position.

9L Aidisappearng footlight includinga lamp carrier movable to closed or open position, a motor for drivingsaid carrier in one direction to close the footliglitsand in the opposite direction to open the ootlights, switch operating means and cooperating switching means for the motor, arranged to condition motor circuits for subsequent drive of the motor to close the footlights when Y the carrier reaches `open position upon opening movement of the footlights and also. to condition motor circuits for subsequent drive of the motor to open the footlights Ywhen the carrierireaches closed positioniupon closing movement of the footlights, said switching means and kcooperating means therefor including provisions for effecting a snap interruption of previously estab-k lished motor circuits for terminating Ymotor drive of the footlights. Y

10. A disappearing footlight including a lamp carrier movable to closed or openposition when the .footlights are to be in closed or. open condition, a bank of lamps carried by the carrier, a motor for driving said carrierY from open t0 closed position and `from, closed to open position, switching means and `operating means therefor cooperatively associated with the carrier, said last two mentioned means including provisions :forv concurrently interrupting the lamp and motor circuits when the carrier reaches closed position and` for concurrently Vclosing the lampv circuits and interrupting other motoricircuits when Ythe carrierreaches open position] .d

Y1l. YA disappearing footlight including a lamp carrier movable to closed or openposition when the footlightsare to be in closed or open-condi-Y tion, a bank of lamps carriedby the carrier, a

motor for driving said carrier from open to closed 50 position and from closed to open position, switching means and operating means therefor cooperatively associated with the carrier, said last two mentioned means including provisionsv fory concurrently interrupting the lamp and motor circuits when the carrierreaches closed position and for-.concurrently closing the lamp circuits and interrupting other motor circuitsvvfhen the carrier reaches open position, said switching means and thev operating means therefor also including provisions for conditioning motor circuits for subsequent drive of `the motor in the reverse direction upon aforesaid interruption of the motor circuits and lamp'circuits, and upon the aforesaid closing of the lamp circuits and interruption o! the other motor circuits.

12. A disappearing foonignt including a igm'p carrier movable to closedor open positionjn a` r.

stage floor when the footlights are closed or open, a switching means for the footlightlamps-With rboth contacts of said means carriedfby.- and b odily if l movablev with the carrier, and switch operating means disposed independently of the carrier and wholly out lof, cooperation ,with the switching Vmeans carried by the carrier when ythe carrier is in intermediate position, and arranged for coacf.

tion with the switching meanstooperate the same when thecarrier approaches openor closed position, for respectively closing Voropening circuits to the footlight lamps. f A

13. A disappearing footlight including a lamp carrier movable to closed or open position in the stage floor when the footlights ,are closed oropen,

a switching means for the footlight lampsrwith both contacts therefor carriedby the carrier and bodily-movableA therewith, switch operating.-

means disposed independently of the carrier and Wholly out of,v cooperation` with the switching.

means carried by the carrier when the carrieris in intermediate position and arranged for coaction l. with the switching means to operate the'samejv when thecarrier approaches fully open or. 1ully closed position, ,for respectively closing or open-,- ing circuits tothe footlight lamps, said switching I means including contact means cooperatively controlled by the operatingmeans so that a quick opening/movement of the switch contacts is 'ef.-

iected which is irrespective of the rate of opening or closing movement ofthe carrier.

i4. A disappearing footlight including -a lampA carrier adapted to move to closed or openposigtion, switching devices for controlling circuits'to the footlight lamps, drivingl means includinga motor for displacing the carrierfrom either of thel aforesaid positions to the other, controlling means adapted to arrest the driving means, and' means controlled by the positionof the carrier for operatinglthe switching devices to close .circuits to the lamps when the carrier ,is in open position and to open saidcircuits when the can K rier is in` closedA position and :for operating the aforesaidcontrolling'means on-'arrival ofthe carrier at either of said positions.

carrier, switchingl devices for the footlight lamps for opening ,and closing circuits to said lamps, i Y

driving means including a motor forA displacing 1 f 50;' 15. A disappearing .footlight including a lamp 

